Seal.



J. L. DINSI'MOOR.

SEAL

APPLICATION FILED 001216, 1908.

Patented July 25, 1911.

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'nrrn Specification of Letters Patent.

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ONE-HALF TO HERMANN Y.

Patented July 25, 1911.

Application filed October 15, 1908. Serial at. 457,806.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it ,known that I, JOHN L. DiNsMooR, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented ce'rtaii'l new and useful Seals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a seal wherein the shapkle can be released only by breaking or fracturing a f angible member which forms an essential part of the seal structure.

Seals are now used commercially for precluding unwarranted inspection of, or interference with, a large variety of apparatus or structures, such aselectric meters, are lamps, and other forms of electrical devices, as well as for car doors, baggage, andv packages in transit through the customs, and for numerous other purposes. As a result of the extended commercialuse of seals, large quantities are employed; but in most cases the seals are of such character that when once-applied, they must be broken in order to unseal the apparatus or structure, the broken seal being thrown away. This reand the cost of maintenance is no inconsidcrable item, particularly where an establishment uses the seal in large quantities.

It is the purpose of the present invention to improve seals of that class wherein the shackle is locked in a casing, and this object is attained bythe employment of an insertible locking member composed, preferably, of frangible material. The shackle and the casing are thus rendered capable of use repeatedly, so that the initial cost of equip ment remains a permanent asset, to a large extent. By replacing a broken locking member with a fresh one, and using said memher in connection with the casing andthe shackle, the. seal can be used any number of times. In view of the fact that the replaceable part is of simple and compact construction, and is n'iannfactured economically, the seal when broken open can be cheaply placed in serviceable condition again, and the cost of maintenance isthus minimized. I

The seal 0t this invention is characterized by theemployment of a casing, a shackle adapted for interlocking engagement with the casing, and a member adapted to effect the interlocking engagement of the shackle with thecasing, said member when inserted l l l l into the casing being restrained from movement therein. ,In a preferred form, said insertible member is composed vof frangible material, such as glass, or ,porbelain, and it is constructed for,inlerlocllng' engagement with the shackle. The lrangillle insertible member constitutes the renewable part of the seal. The seal is capable of manufacture economically, and it is eilici'cnllalul reliable in use.

Other i'catln'es of the invention, and the advantages thereof, will ap 'icar from the annexed detailed description.

In the accompanying illustrated "different practical cmbo'dinwnts of the invention, but the constructions shown therein are to be understood as illus. trative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical SCCtlull illustrating one form of seal embodying the invcnl'imi.

Fig. 2 is'a cross section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 IS a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4- is a vertical section illustrating a preferred form of the seal. Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4-. Fig. (l is a plan view of the seal shown in Figs. 4- and 5. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view illustrating one form of casing adapted for the seals of Figs. 1 and 4. Fig. 8 is a vertical section illustrating another embodiment of the invention, and Figs. 9 and 10 are vertical sections at right angles to each other through still another torm of seal constriu-tcd in accordance with the invention.

The seal shown in Figs. 1, 2 and3 otthe drawings is adapted, mainly, for use on apparatus of-large size or For heavy work. such as for sealing car doors, but it is evident that. the principle of the invention may be used in the construction of seals generally, such as seals for electrical apparatus of various kinds.

A casing, A, of the form shown more particularly in Fig. 7, is adapted for the reception of a shackle, B, and a member, 0, the latter being made separate from the casing and the shackle and adapted for interlocking. engagementwith one or both parts so as to complete the seal and prevent removal of shacrle, B, from casing, A. Said casing is shown. as having a slotor opening, a, in its upper part, and an opening, a, in its redrawings I have furthermore, with grooves, (4

spective sides, the casing being provided, The casing may be composed of any suitable material, such as metal or porcelain, but it is preferred to make the casing of metal by either stamping, pressing or casting the same.

One form of shackle, B, is shown in Fig. l as consisting of a cast metal portion, 6, and yieldable members, I), which are made separate from the cast metal part, I), and are suitably attached thereto, as for example, by riveting yieldable parts, 6 to the end portions of cast metal part, b. i Said cast metal part, his a bow and it is shown as having shoulders, c, which are-adapted to rest upon and engage with a solid upper part of casing, A, when the yieldable parts or arms, Z), of the shackle are thrust into said casing, A, whereby said shoulders, 0, limit the endwise movement of the-shackle 'in one direction relative to casing, A. The

shackle is adapted to engage with suitable links, D, which are associated with the apparatus to be sealed, it being evident that said links may be slipped over the shackle when the latter is disconnected from casing,

A. The arms or yieldable parts, I), of the shackle are turned upwardly and inwardly so as. to produce hooks, cl, said hooks being in facing relation and disposed within the grooved parts, (4 of easing, A, when the shackle is fitted to said casing.

It is preferred to make member, C, of a suitable frangible material, such as glass, porcelain, or the like, but it is not desired in all instances to restrict the invention to this particular material. Member, C, is cut away at its side portions at e, 6, so as to produce shoulders, f, f, two of said shoal-- upper part of casing, A,whereby recesses, e,

of member, C,.'are adapted to receive the lower ends of cast metal part or boat, b, of shackle, B.' Shoulders, f, are thus adapted to engage with bow, b, and for the purpose of limiting the upward movement ofmember,'C, when introducing it into casing, A,

but this result is secured. also, by 'beveling' the lower grooved parts of easing, A, as at; 9, so to engage w th the wide. lower part of member, 0. lVhen introducing member, C,

the shouldered upper part or head thereof, engages with books, cl, which are pressed backwardly until. the shouldered parts, f, pass said hooks, whereupon the hooks, d,

spring inwardly towardeach other and fit. I

below shoulders, f, as shown in Fig. l,

whereby member, C, is locked within casing,

A, by hooked members, I), of the shackle, and at the same time, the shackle is locked in casing, A, by hooks, d, engaging shoulders,

It is manifest from this description that member, C, cannot be withdrawn because of its engagement wit-h casing, A, and its locked blow, whereupon the fragments of the broken member will drop out of the casing and the shackle can be-withdrawn. The shackle and casin may be used repeatedly by inserting new members, C, therein, as heretofore described, and as the part, C, can be manufactured economically and carried conveniently by the operators, it is evident that the cost of maintainin a seal ment kept at a minimum gure.

The construction shown in Figs. 4:, 5 and 6 of the drawings is a seal adapted for lighter work than the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the metal parts being composed, mainly, of punchings, stampings or pressings. (lasing, A, is similar in many respects to thecasing of'Fig. l, but instead of slot, a, in the head of easing, it is provided with openlngs, a said casing having the open center, a, and the grooved sides,

a'-. Within each grooved. side of the casing Shackle, B, is, preferably, a metal strip, ribbon or wire,

is formed a shoulder, a

the legs of which are bent to form shoulders, h, and the extremities are inturned t0 produce other shoulders or hooks, h. Preferably, one or both, legs of the shackle may be weakened at h f and said shackle is provided with an iiteifaeeable identification character or inscription, as at h shown in Fig. 6, which is stamped or pressed into the metal composing shackle, B. @bviously, the leg of the shackle may be weakened at h in various ways. In one construction, the metal composing the shackle is bentso sharply or abruptly at the point h as to partially rupture the fibers or grain of the metal, thus rendering the metal so weak at the bend as to easily break when a strong pull is exerted thereon. Again, the thickness of the metal may be artificially reduced, as byfiling it partlyaway at ture or breakage of the shackle at the particular point desired when a strong pullisexerted on the shackle in an effort to disconnect it from the seal body. Member, C, is

having been inserted, member, C

locked with. shoulders, i

composed of frangible material, such as glass or porcelain, and it is provided with beveled edges, 2', i so disposed with relation to each other as to produce an intermediate shoulder, '2".

In using the seal of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, shackle, B, is disconnected from casing, A, and. one or both legs of said shackle are engaged with suitable links or other parts of an apparatus to be sealed. The legs of shackle, B, are thrustinto the openings, (1 of easing, A, 50 as to enter grooved side members, a of said casing in position for the shoulders, it, of the shackle to engage with shoulders, a of casing. The shackle i is now thrust into the lower open end of casing, r so as to be received in grooves, a thereof. The inclined edges, 2' of member, C, ride against hooks or shoulders, h, of the shackle so as to press the latter into the grooved sides, (4 of the casing, and when member, C, is fully inserted into the casing, the edges, 17-, engage with the lower portions of the shackle. The shackle legs are pressed outwardly for the shoulders, /L, to engage firmly with shoulders, 61", of easing, A, and the hooks or shoulders, h, of said shackle are fitted or engaged beneath shoulders, i, of member, C. The shackle of Fig. cannot be pulled upwardly for the reason that the shoulders, h, thereof'areinterof member, 0, nor can the shackle be pulled downwardly, because such downward movement is precluded by shoulder", h, of the shackle en gaging with shoulders, a of the casing. Member, C, cannot be displaced from the casingfor the reason that it is retained against lateral movement by fitting in the grooved sides, a nor can it be moved upwardly because its head engages with the solid closed upper part of the casing, nor can it be pulled downwardly for the reason that its shoulders, i, are locked with hooks or shoulders, it, of the shackle. The seal can be disconnected only by breaking or destroying member, C, and when the seal' to be again used, a new member, such as I, must be inserted. Additional security is imparted to the seal by reason of the weakened point, 7F, being formed in the sha -kle and by the employment of the identification character, .hr". Should .the seal be tampered with and an extra strong pull be exerted on shackle, B, it will break org, e 'at this weakenedpoint, [1. and the identification on the shackle will-preclude a spurious shackle from being inserted into the seal. I i 'The construction of Fig. 8 is quite simh. lar tolthe' devices heretofore described, al;

though the'sh'a'ckl and frangible member are modified somewhat in construction-so as to bringainto use small-"spr ngs, Casing,

l l l l l l g l 1 l A is provided with a slot, a in its upper part, and in the grooved sides, (E, of the cas ing are the shoulders, a. Shackle, B is composed of a length of punched metal or a ribbon or wire,'and the lower ends of said shackle are bent inwardly to form the shoulders, 4 and the hooks, a. Springs,

'E, are fastenedto the grooved sides, a or they may be struck up 111 one piece with the casing when made of sheet'metal. Member, C is composed of frangible material, and it is provided with lugs, j. The shackle is insertilole through slot, a and when member, C is thrust into place, the legs of the shackle are expanded for the shoulders, (17, to fit beneath shoulders, a", of casing. The hooks, a engage with the edges of member, C so as to press the shackle into the grooved sides of the casing. The springs or locking members, E, engage beneath the lugs, j, so as to preclude withdrawal of member, C from the casing. The shackle cannot be drawn upwardly for the reason that its shoulders, a, engage with shoulders, a, of said easing, and the inner ends of the shackle are housed or contained within the casing so that the n'leinber, C will preclude access to the interlocked parts between theshackle and easing.

"he structure shown in Figs. 9 and 10 embodies the leading features of the invention heretofore disclosed. Casing, A, is

a shell open at its upper end and closed at its lower end, said shell being provided with shoulders, is, near the lower part thereof. Member, C", is composed of frangible material molded to the required shape and dimensions to tit the shell snugly. Said member, C, is provided in its LGSPQCtlW sides with a longitudinal groove, m, which is enlarged at m. Shackle, B, is enlarged at the lower ends of its legs, as at D. The enlargements may be cast on the shackle, or the ends of the shackle may be doubled or folded so as to produce the enlargements, O. Springs, F, are provided at the lower part of member, C". in assembling the parts of the seal shown in Figs. 9 and 10, member, C, is disconnnected from casing, A and the shackle is fitted in grooves, 112, of said member, C, the enlarged ends, 0, of

said shackle being received in recesses, 12!, of

The asing, It, is now tion, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. Im. a seal, a body port on, a shackle havi'ng'direet interlock ng engagement with said body portion, and a separate member cooperating with the shackle to secure said interlocking engagement of the shackle with the body portion, said separate member being composed of frangible material.

2. In a seal, a body portion, a shackle having interlocking relation to said body portion, a separate member composed of frangible material and insertible in said body portion, said separate memberaoting on the shackle to force it into locked en gagement with the bodyportion, and means to preclude movement of the separate mem her with respect to the body portion.

3. In a seal, a body portion, a shackle insertible in the body portion for interlocking engagement therewith, and a member separate from the shackle and the body por tion, said member being insertible in said body portion, and cooperating with the legs of said shackle to spread the same sidewise with relation to each other, thereby securing the interlocking connection between the shackle and the body portion, said body por. tion being provided in its walls with a slot or opening adapted to expose the insertible member.

a. In a seal, a body portion, a shackle having means for locking engagement with said body portion internally thereof, and a member adapted by its insertion to spread the legs of the shackle and thereby secure said locking engagement between the body portion and the shackle.

5. In a seal, a casing provided with shackle-engaging means on the interior thereof, a shackle having yieldable legs incased within said casing, and a separate member having interlocking engagement with the shackle and adapted to spread the legs of said shackle for the purpose of securing interlocking engagement between the shackle and the shackle-engaging means of said casiiig.

h. In a seal, a chambered member provided at its respective ends with openings :u taptcd to receive a shackle and a locking member, shackle-locking means Within said casing, a shackle the legs of which are in sertible into one end of the casing, said legs of the shackle having locking means, and a locking member insertible into the other end of the casing, said locking member cooperating with the shackle legs for moving the locking means thereof into engagement with the shackle-locking means of the casing.

7. In av seal, a body portionhaving grooved sides and openings inthe respectiveends thereof, a shackle adapted to enter the openings at one end of said body portion, and a locking member insertible through the opening at the opposite end of the body portion, said second member cooperating with the shackle to retain it from displacement relative-to the body portion.

8. In a ,seal, a chambered member, a

shackle insertible partially therein, and a locking member having surfaces adapted to engage with the shackle for the purpose of expanding said shackle into interlocking engagement with the chambered member, said locking member being provided, also, with means adapted to interlock the member and the shackle together.

9. In a seal, a chambered member, a shackle insertible partially therein, said shackle and the chambered member being provided with means adapted to interlock said parts, a locking member having surfaces adapted to expahd the shackle and thus retain the same in locked engagement with said chambered member, and means for precluding movement of the locking member relative to said chambered member.

10. In a seal, a casing provided with shoulders, a shackle having yielda-ble parts adapted for engagement with said shoul ders, an insertible member engaging the yieldable parts of the shackle, and means for retainingthe insertible member Within said casing.

11. Ina seal, a casing having grooved sides, a shackle having shouldered parts adapted to occupy said grooved sides of the casing, means whereby the casing and the shackle are adapted to interlock with each other, and a separate member insertible in the grooved sides of the casing and adapted for engagement with the shouldered parts of the shackle, said casing being open at its respective sides and said open parts of the casing being intermediate the grooved sides thereof, whereby the insertible separate member is adapted to substantially fill the open side portions of the casing and to be exposed to view exteriorly of said casing.

12. In a seal, a casing having grooved sides and provided on its respective faces with openings intermediate the grooved sides thereof, a. shackle having shouldered parts adapted to occupy said grooved sides of the casing, means whereby the casing and the shackle are adapted to interlock with each other, and a frangible shouldered member insertible in the grooved sides of the casing and substantially filling the openings in the respective faces thereof, said frangible member being locked in position by the shouldered parts of the shackle.

13. In a seal, a casing having a transverse opening or slot, :1 shackle insertible into said casing and interlocking therewith, and a frangible'member spanning the opening or slot of said casing and cooperating with the shackle to secure interlocking engagement between the shackle and the casing.

14. In a seal, a casing composed of rigid material and provided with shoulders internally thereof, a shackle having yieldable shouldered parts which are insertible into the casing, and a frangible shouldered in-em ilfi'b ber adapted to be inserted in the casing and into locking engagement with said yieldable shouldered parts of the shackle.

15. In a seal, a casing provided with shackle-locking means,-a shackle the legs of which are provided with locking means, and a member-insertible into the casing and adapted to act upon the shackle legs for moving the locking means thereof into engagement with the shackledocking means of the casing, s'aid shackle having Weakened portions which are insertible' into the casing.

16. In a seal, a casing having shoulders internally thereof, a shackle provided on its legs with shoulders, a locking member cooperating with the legs of the shackle to secure interlocking engagement between the shoulders of the casing and the shackle, and means for retaining the locking member in position relative to the casing.

17. In a seal, a casing, a shackle provided with shoulders which engage with the cas ing and provided, also, with other shoulders adapted to be housed within said casing, and a locking member composed of frangible material and, insertible into the casing,

said locking member having interlocking name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing: witnesses.

JOHN L. DIN SMOOR. l Vitnesses: H. I. BERNHARD, V. E. MARKMA N. 

